Western Slope Obituaries 9-6-10

He was born the tenth child of 12 to Edward and Jenny (Sipma) TeGrotenhuis on April 9, 1917 at their home on Fruitland Mesa in Crawford, Colo. At the age of five, the family moved to Hotchkiss, Colo., where Kenneth would attend school. Kenneth graduated from Hotchkiss High School and furthered his education at a junior college in Santa Anna, California studying engineering and surveying.

In December of 1941, Kenneth honorably served his country with the United States Navy. He was stationed on a ship in the Pacific where he received the rank of chief metal smith. Kenneth was honorably discharged shortly after the war ended in October of 1945.

In the fall of 1945, Kenneth returned home to Hotchkiss, Colo., where he operated his father’s plumbing shop. In 1946, Kenneth met Charlotte (Betty) Bryan at a Hotchkiss High School Dance. The couple courted less than six months and exchanged vows on November 24, 1946 in Paonia, Colo. To this union, four children were born. Kenneth and Betty celebrated over 63 years of marriage together last fall. Betty survives.

In 1957, Kenneth sold his plumbing business, and he and Betty purchased a farm on Rogers Mesa where they raised their family. When Kenneth retired he enjoyed what life had to offer-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, traveling and wood working.

Kenneth was a member of several organizations including: Hotchkiss Elks Lodge charter member and P.E.R.; Hotchkiss Chamber of Commerce; Hotchkiss United Methodist Church; Delta County School board member from 1967-1973; and served as County Commissioner from 1973-1977.

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He is survived by his wife, Betty TeGrotenhuis of Hotchkiss, Colo.; one son, Bryan TeGrotenhuis and his wife Sharon of Hotchkiss, Colo.; three daughters, Cynda Clay and husband Harold of Hotchkiss, Colo., Connie Shuss of Hotchkiss, Colo., and Cara Wagner and husband Jake of Franklin, Tenn.; and one sister, Alice Holt of Austin, Tex.; nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were held August 28, 2010 at the Hotchkiss United Methodist Church.

A private inurnment was held at the Riverside Cemetery in Hotchkiss, Colo.

He was born the tenth child of 12 to Edward and Jenny (Sipma) TeGrotenhuis on April 9, 1917 at their home on Fruitland Mesa in Crawford, Colo. At the age of five, the family moved to Hotchkiss, Colo., where Kenneth would attend school. Kenneth graduated from Hotchkiss High School and furthered his education at a junior college in Santa Anna, California studying engineering and surveying.

In December of 1941, Kenneth honorably served his country with the United States Navy. He was stationed on a ship in the Pacific where he received the rank of chief metal smith. Kenneth was honorably discharged shortly after the war ended in October of 1945.

In the fall of 1945, Kenneth returned home to Hotchkiss, Colo., where he operated his father’s plumbing shop. In 1946, Kenneth met Charlotte (Betty) Bryan at a Hotchkiss High School Dance. The couple courted less than six months and exchanged vows on November 24, 1946 in Paonia, Colo. To this union, four children were born. Kenneth and Betty celebrated over 63 years of marriage together last fall. Betty survives.

In 1957, Kenneth sold his plumbing business, and he and Betty purchased a farm on Rogers Mesa where they raised their family. When Kenneth retired he enjoyed what life had to offer-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, traveling and wood working.

Kenneth was a member of several organizations including: Hotchkiss Elks Lodge charter member and P.E.R.; Hotchkiss Chamber of Commerce; Hotchkiss United Methodist Church; Delta County School board member from 1967-1973; and served as County Commissioner from 1973-1977.

He is survived by his wife, Betty TeGrotenhuis of Hotchkiss, Colo.; one son, Bryan TeGrotenhuis and his wife Sharon of Hotchkiss, Colo.; three daughters, Cynda Clay and husband Harold of Hotchkiss, Colo., Connie Shuss of Hotchkiss, Colo., and Cara Wagner and husband Jake of Franklin, Tenn.; and one sister, Alice Holt of Austin, Tex.; nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were held August 28, 2010 at the Hotchkiss United Methodist Church.

A private inurnment was held at the Riverside Cemetery in Hotchkiss, Colo.

He was born the tenth child of 12 to Edward and Jenny (Sipma) TeGrotenhuis on April 9, 1917 at their home on Fruitland Mesa in Crawford, Colo. At the age of five, the family moved to Hotchkiss, Colo., where Kenneth would attend school. Kenneth graduated from Hotchkiss High School and furthered his education at a junior college in Santa Anna, California studying engineering and surveying.

In December of 1941, Kenneth honorably served his country with the United States Navy. He was stationed on a ship in the Pacific where he received the rank of chief metal smith. Kenneth was honorably discharged shortly after the war ended in October of 1945.

In the fall of 1945, Kenneth returned home to Hotchkiss, Colo., where he operated his father’s plumbing shop. In 1946, Kenneth met Charlotte (Betty) Bryan at a Hotchkiss High School Dance. The couple courted less than six months and exchanged vows on November 24, 1946 in Paonia, Colo. To this union, four children were born. Kenneth and Betty celebrated over 63 years of marriage together last fall. Betty survives.

In 1957, Kenneth sold his plumbing business, and he and Betty purchased a farm on Rogers Mesa where they raised their family. When Kenneth retired he enjoyed what life had to offer-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, traveling and wood working.

Kenneth was a member of several organizations including: Hotchkiss Elks Lodge charter member and P.E.R.; Hotchkiss Chamber of Commerce; Hotchkiss United Methodist Church; Delta County School board member from 1967-1973; and served as County Commissioner from 1973-1977.

He is survived by his wife, Betty TeGrotenhuis of Hotchkiss, Colo.; one son, Bryan TeGrotenhuis and his wife Sharon of Hotchkiss, Colo.; three daughters, Cynda Clay and husband Harold of Hotchkiss, Colo., Connie Shuss of Hotchkiss, Colo., and Cara Wagner and husband Jake of Franklin, Tenn.; and one sister, Alice Holt of Austin, Tex.; nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were held August 28, 2010 at the Hotchkiss United Methodist Church.

A private inurnment was held at the Riverside Cemetery in Hotchkiss, Colo.